Saturday, June 18, 2016

Most people know that you can try interesting cheeses if you visit a cheesemonger or if your local grocery store has a well-stocked cheese counter. But most people don't usually think of the deli counter as a great place to experience and enjoy different cheeses. And that's a shame, because you can often try a slice for free or get just a few slices at a time to take home and experiment with.

Every so often, I get on a sliced cheese kick. I'll pick-up a half-pound of this or that when I'm buying deli meat to add a little pizazz to sandwiches, tuna melts, pannini's, or more often than not, just to snack on after work with a handful of Ritz crackers.

So what kinds of things can you get at the deli that are more interesting than plain old American? Here are a few of my favorites:

Provolone - This cheese is usually available in either mild or picante (sharp). A quality mild one has a gentle nutty flavor and the same kind of chewiness as firm mozzarella. Its sharper sibling isn't sharp like a cheddar, but definitely has a more distinctive flavor. Provolone is delicious sliced thick and will melt without getting stringy, making it a great topper for toasted Italian sandwiches, Italian subs, or chicken or eggplant parmesan. If you happen to have a real Italian deli near you, you may find aged Provolone, which is extra-picante and firm enough to be grated over pasta like Parmesan.

Cheddar - I like to buy cheddar at the deli (Cabot makes a great slicing cheddar) because you can get thin bread-sized slices that are kind of brittle and break easily. I'll sometimes just munch on a slice (it almost melts on your tongue) or put it on crackers, but it tastes great on a nice roast beef sandwich. It adds a salty, strong cheesy goodness that really compliments the meat.

Smoked Gouda - I was first introduced to Smoked Gouda cheese by way of Panera Bread's Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich (which almost deserves a post of its own). It's the consistency of provolone with a firmer chew, the color of cheddar, and the smoked version has a mild and pleasant smokey background flavor. It pairs really well with any sandwich containing mayonnaise or a mayo-like sauce. It's also a great snacking cheese and works well on a fried egg sandwich.

Muenster - This cheese is hard to describe. It's a little like provolone, but softer and creamier like American or Colby Jack. It has a slightly picante flavor and an interesting orange halo around the edges from being heavily dusted with annatto, a nutty orange spice that's often used to add color to cheese. It's great on most sandwiches, but it's my favorite as a snacking cheese. Children often like it and you can call it "monster cheese" to appeal to to their sense of whimsy.

Pepper Jack - This is essentially a Jack cheese, a softer milder cheddar-like cheese, which has had hot pepper seeds added to it. When sliced thinly for sandwiches, it adds just a little heat without overpowering the sandwich. It's great on grilled meats like burgers and chicken breasts.

Harvati - This cheese is extra-soft and creamy, almost lacy and is usually found in rectangular blocks. You'll want to buy it from a deli that is willing to slice it carefully and lay a piece of paper between every 1 or 2 slices and fan it out, as the slices will literally melt back into each other before you can get it home. It's a real treat on almost any cold deli sandwich.

So head on over to your favorite store and have the delicatessen slice-up a few slices of some interesting cheeses for you!

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About The Author

My name is Justin. I'm an ordinary 30-something guy with a real passion for food but no formal culinary training. I love exploring food in my home kitchen and all that it offers. I love finding solutions to cooking challenges and sharing them with other home cooks. Cooking doesn't have to be difficult. We can all eat well working within our abilities and budgets. Join me on my food adventure!